POST FALLS - Free food. Free beer. Free music. Free games.

Oh, and nice people, too, said Scott Hudson as he enjoyed the 17th annual Block Party put on by Body by Scotty.

"I'd like to meet Scotty. He must be a real nice guy," Hudson said.

Indeed, he is.

Scott Shawver, along with Sharon Sorenson, owns the auto body shop at 311 E. Third Ave. As he worked his way through the crowd of young and old, he grinned, shook hands, and shot out plenty of hellos.

"I don't know everybody," he said after stepping inside the front office of the business to take a break. "There's a lot of people there I hope to see again."

What started as a way to say thank you hasn't changed. It's just bigger. Much, much bigger. There were about 100 people or so those first years when it was limited to their parking lot. Friday, around 3,500 joined the four-hour celebration that stretched out up and down the block.

"If it wasn't for the community, we wouldn't be here," Shawver said, as he glanced out the glass door where children ate cotton candy. "When you see all these little kids having a lot of fun, that's really what it's all about. Post Falls has really been good for Sharon and I."

And they've been good to Post Falls.

Under clear blue, sunny skies, kids, parents and grandparents sat on plastic chairs, grass and stairs as they feasted on chicken, ham, rolls, cookies and potato salad. Children jumped in an inflatable castle, laughed at the antics of a clown and guzzled pop and water. Parents, meanwhile, smiled and chatted as they sipped cold Budweiser and listened to the tunes of the Rhythm Dawgs.

All courtesy of Body by Scotty, a full-service vehicle collision repair business that provides towing, frame straightening, fiberglass repair and paint refinishing.

"All it costs is shoeleather, gas to get here," Shawver said.

Which was pretty amazing to Lorrie Kelly.

"You don't see this. No one does this," she said.

The Post Falls woman has attended the block party for the last five years. She called it a summer highlight.

"This draws the community together," Kelly said. "It's a time for people to get together and dance."

Sorenson declined to say how much they spend on the event, or guess how it has benefited their 18-year-old business.

This was a day, she said, to just show their appreciation.

"When you have to say thank you, you just have to say thank you," she said, smiling. "I think it's good to say thank you when you have a community that supports you."

She did tally the food and beverage numbers to pull off the block party, and yes, it's a spectacular spread.

• 3,500 pieces of chicken

• 850 pounds of potato salad

• 450 pounds of ham

• 3,500 cookies

• 3,500 rolls

• about 30 kegs of beer

• 2,000 bottles of water

• 3,500 cans of soda

Scott and Sharon's friends and family volunteer to help, and they also hire teens to serve food. Others mark the event on their calendar each year.

Sorenson said while the block party has grown, it's easier to put on, too.

"We know what works and we know what doesn't work," she said, laughing. "Deviled eggs don't work. We tried that the first year. Brats don't work."

In looking back on 17 years, they couldn't recall any trouble. People are polite, in good cheer, and tend to monitor each others' behavior. A crowd management team is on hand just in case, as are Post Falls police. For those who might have a few too many free brews, there are designated drivers, along with a free tow truck, taxi and limo to provide rides home.

"We've been really fortunate," Shawver said.

He agreed it's work but it's the kind of fun you may only find in a small town.

"It's kind of like Mayberry R.F.D.," he said, then adding with a chuckle, "it gives us an excuse to get the shop cleaned once a year."

Shawver and Sorenson each have their roles during the block party. Scott mingles with the crowd, while Sharon makes sure all is well.

"Truth of the matter is, if it wasn't for her, it won't happen," he said. "I get all the credit, she does all the work."

Guests gushed with praises for their hosts.

Chris Berg attended the block party for the first time after hearing about it from family, who told him everything was free.

"I was like, 'Really?'" he said as he stood in the beer line.

"It's awesome," he added. "It's cool that they do stuff like this for people."

Bob Kaul of Post Falls sported a cowboy hat and shades as he sat in the sun, glass of beer in hand, relatives nearby.

He has attended the block party for the past 10 years and said he loves the community effort and spirit of so many people coming together to enjoy the hospitality of Body by Scotty.

"This is a wonderful thing that's Scott's doing," he said. "They do a tremendous job."

Just their way of saying thanks.